Deb Norton Tech

Are you getting ready for a new school year? Perhaps you're setting up your classroom or office. Maybe you are thinking of lessons and activities for your students.  If you are like me, you might be considering purchasing a few gadgets to start the new year. Here are a few of my recent purchases. one , two , three , four 1.  Earlier this summer I was driving on my way to a Google training and needed to stop for gas. And what do I find right by the check out? A selfie stick. I just had to have it. And let me just say, it has been so much fun.  Look for a blog post on selfie sticks very soon! I paid $11.99.  2.  I have a 45 minute commute to work each day, and the traffic can get a bit hairy. This cell phone car mount is perfect for keeping me updated without taking my eyes off of the road. I've been using this for about a week and I'm really happy with it. The suction cup sticks well to my textured dashboard and the cell phone does not move or shift while dri

In this Chat with Deb, I've put together a series of short videos highlighting 10 Google Doc Tips and Tricks that you may not know about.  I'm pretty sure you will thank me after you have watched the videos.  These tips and tricks are some of my favorites. Intro and Tip #1 - Web Clipboard Click here the for Google Doc. Tip #2 - The Paint Roller Click here  the for Google Doc. Tip #3 - Page Setup Click here  the for Google Doc. Tip #4 - Emojis Click here  the for Google Doc. Tip #5 - Math Equation Tool Bar Click here  the for Google Doc. Tip #6 - Speech Recognition Click here  the for Google Doc. Tip #7 - Tag Cloud Generator  and  #8 - Texthelp Study Skills Add-on Click here  the for Google Doc. Tip #9 - Publish to the Web and  #10 - Personal Dictionary Click here  the for Google Doc. Do you have a favorite tip or trick with Google Docs? I would love it if you shared with us.  Than

one , two , three , four , five I am thinking about ordering a Google Cardboard Viewer .  With the Makerspace movement growing and knowing how much our high school students enjoyed the Makerspaces that we introduced last year, I'm thinking this could be a winner and quite popular with our students. I especially like the fact that there are many   Google Cardboard Apps   to download and try with the viewer.  My only concern is that I am known for having motion sickness and would probably suffer through out one of the roller coaster rides. Who doesn't love earning something for their accomplishments? I really want to try this activity to  Gamify Your PD   from Alice Keeler. After playing with the Google spreadsheet a bit and practicing with myself as a student, I found it quite easy to use and I really think this could be beneficial to teachers, coaches and students. Bring on the badges! I am not an artist, however, I do love to doodle and play with words. I'm

Let's think about Literacy in a Digital World Free literacy resources and high-quality online activities to help students respond to literature.  What I love about RWT: Save your work as a RWT file and open it at a later time. Student choice is built into many of the activities How to videos are available  Search by learning objective - Start with the goal in mind Free Printables  Thank you to Intel's Teachers Engage for sponsoring this Chat with Deb.

Pinterest - Seriously, I use this for so many different interests in my life. Healthy recipes that I want to try and healthy recipes that I have tried . Storytelling apps , Sphero , and a few of my favorite tech people: here and here .  I can always find some great inspiration to keep me busy in the Pinterest App. Evernote - My days would not be as organized and put together without this app. It works seamlessly on all of my devices. Whether I'm saving content from the web or making my grocery list, this app is a life saver. The ability to record an audio note is awesome. And I love the Web Clipper Extension ! Audible - I have a 45 minute commute to and from work each day and I also travel a lot in the summer. Need I say more? Here are a few of the books I've enjoyed over the past year: Dark Places - Gillian Flynn The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins Leaving Time - Jodi Picoult A Long Walk to Water - Linda Sue Park The Silent Sister - Diane Chamberlain The

This is the first year in many years that I was #NotAtISTE15  I will admit that I missed going and wish I could have found the funds to go. I'm going to begin saving now for #ISTE16 in Denver. This is just too valuable of a tech conference to miss. Regardless of my absence, I would like to share a few finds that I bookmarked from following the #ISTE2015 hashtag for just 15 minutes this morning : #1 Gynzy Having just finished a two day SMART Notebook Training, I was pleased to find this fantastic resource for use on Interactive Whiteboards.  Gynzy is packed with fun tools and activities for grades K-8. Create lessons and add media to your lessons.  After playing with Gynzy for a short time I was pleased with the simplicity and helpful tutorials.   #2 A Redesign of Learning Spaces Example This video is an amazing example of the Elizabeth Forward School District bringing new learning spaces to their schools and the incredible impact that it is ha